Cup lid

ABSTRACT

A lid may be attached to the lip of a cup having a lip and restrict out-flow of liquid from the cup. The lid may provide a top surface, an annular wall extending down from the top surface, and an annular groove below the annular wall. The top surface may include a rim portion around a central depression, defining a drink hole and, within the lid, an edge channel communicating with the drink hole. The lid may include an arcuate barrier under the edge channel, formed either separately or integrally with the other structure of the lid, providing two inlets to a closed conduit portion of the edge channel.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/245,754, filed on Sep. 17, 2021, the entirety of which is incorporated herein for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a structure and components for a lid for a cup with anti-spill properties. For example, the lid may provide a drink hole, through which a liquid may flow from the cup, and restrict flow to the hole to a closed conduit with inlets spaced apart from the drink hole. A barrier may provide the restricted flow by establishing the closed conduit and inlets. The barrier may be formed separately or integrally with the other structure of the lid.

Various devices have been developed in attempts to provide a spill-proof lid for a coffee cup. Such devices have not provided satisfactory spill proofing with optimal simplicity of manufacture and material cost.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a lid may be provided for a cup having a lip and configured for containing a liquid. The lid may comprise an annular groove for attaching the lid to the lip of the cup. An annular wall may extend above the annular groove. A substantially circular top surface may be disposed above the annular wall, with the wall and the top surface creating a cover for the cup and defining an inner space within the cover. The wall and the top surface may be configured to substantially retain the liquid in the cup while allowing a user to drink the liquid in a controlled manner. The top surface may further include a substantially cylindrical central depression and an annular rim portion substantially surrounding the depression. The rim portion may be adjacent to and above the annular wall and include a hole for the drinking of the liquid. The wall, the rim portion, and the depression typically define, within the inner space of the lid, an edge channel extending annularly around at least a portion of the lid, and the edge channel may be in communication with the drinking hole. A baffle, such as an arcuate barrier, may be provided under a portion of the edge channel, the arcuate barrier defining two ends, the arcuate barrier subtending between the two ends an angle of at least about 90°, the arcuate barrier and the edge channel defining, at the barrier ends, two inlets to the edge channel, and further the arcuate barrier and the edge channel may define a closed conduit for the liquid exiting the cup from the inlets to the drinking hole.

A method for manufacturing the lid may include the steps of:

-   -   a. forming a substantially circular top surface, an annular wall         extending down from the top surface, and an annular groove below         the annular wall, the groove configured for attaching the lid to         the lip of the cup, the top surface and wall defining an inner         space of the lid;     -   b. forming, in the top surface, a substantially cylindrical         depression and an annular rim portion substantially surrounding         the depression;     -   c. forming a hole through the rim portion, the hole configured         for the drinking of the liquid, wherein the wall, the rim         portion, and the depression define, within the inner space of         the lid, an edge channel extending annularly around at least a         portion of the lid, and wherein the edge channel is in         communication with the drinking hole; and     -   d. forming an arcuate barrier under the edge channel, the         arcuate barrier defining two ends, the arcuate barrier and the         edge channel defining, at the barrier ends, two inlets to a         closed conduit portion of the edge channel.

As will be further described below, the dimensions of the baffle or barrier relative to the lid's outer edge channel, and variations thereof, produce unexpected results in various performance characteristics, including the efficacy of the spill-prevention functionality. For example, small variations in the extent to which the baffle encloses the edge channel impact dramatically the spill-prevention functionality and even, in some conditions, prevent the lid from allowing liquid flow altogether.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from above of a lid according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, showing a top surface with a central depression surrounded by an annular rim portion, a drink hole, an air hole, and, beneath the top surface, which is transparent for illustrative purposes, a barrier that acts as a baffle within an inner space of the lid to form a closed conduit for liquid to reach the drink hole.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from below of the lid of FIG. 1 , showing the barrier in the inner space of the lid, the barrier shown as transparent for illustrative purposes.

FIG. 3 is a perspective wireframe view from above the lid, similar to FIG. 1 . Note that the wireframe view illustrates the edges and vertices of the depicted structure and otherwise depicts the structure as transparent, although in practice, the structure is typically opaque or translucent.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the barrier separate from the other parts of the lid.

FIG. 5 is a plan view from beneath of the lid without the barrier.

FIG. 6 is a rear, cross-sectioned wireframe view of the lid, with the cross-section taken to the rear of the barrier. Note that, as for FIG. 3 , the wireframe view, also used in FIGS. 7-9 , below, illustrates the edges and vertices of the depicted structure and otherwise depicts the structure as transparent, although in practice, the structure is typically opaque or translucent.

FIG. 7 is a rear, cross-sectioned wireframe view of the lid, with the cross-section taken at the ends of the barrier, at the inlets to the closed conduit portion of the edge channel.

FIG. 8 is a side, cross-sectioned wireframe view of the lid, with the cross-section taken between one end of the barrier and the drink hole.

FIG. 9 is a side, cross-sectioned wireframe view of the lid, with the cross-section taken at the middle of the drink hole.

FIG. 10 is a side view of another embodiment of the present disclosure, with the depression in the top surface of the lid shown in phantom line, the depression in this embodiment including a portion that extends to the inner face of the wall of the lid, thus forming the arcuate barrier and the closed conduit from the inlets to the drinking hole.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 10 showing in phantom line an arcuate barrier formed as part of the depression in the top of the lid.

FIG. 12 is a view from beneath the lid of FIGS. 10-11 showing the barrier formed integrally with the rest of the lid.

FIG. 13 is a side view of an embodiment of the lid according to the present disclosure with a partial cutaway to show an internal liquid flow along an edge channel and an internal wall that closes the edge channel from having liquid circulate.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the lid according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the lid according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in this including a tab to act as the baffle to protect the flow from the drinking aperture.

FIG. 16 is a side view of an embodiment of the lid of the present disclosure, similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 10-12 , with an inner wall that extends along with an inner disk to provide the baffle functionality in a lid made of a one-piece construction.

FIG. 17 is an overhead view of a lid similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-9 , including the barrier within the inner space of the lid, with the top surface of the lid shown as transparent for illustrative purposes.

FIG. 18 is a side view of the lid of FIG. 17 , with the lid inverted, showing the barrier in the inner space of the lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As may be seen in FIGS. 1-18 , embodiments of a lid 10 of the present description is provided for use with a conventional drinking vessel, such as a paper coffee cup, that contains a liquid. Such cups are typically formed with a circumferential lip at the top of the cup. Lid 10 may be formed of any material suitable to the particular application of the lid, such as a molded, plastic material, typically a polypropylene material.

Lid 10 is generally in a roughly cylindrical or frustoconical shape, open on a lower end 12 and primarily closed on an upper end 14. At lower end 12, lid 10 may include a skirt 16 around the lid to facilitate fitting lid 10 over the cup lip. Above skirt 16, an annular groove 18 extends around the lid and the groove is configured for snapping onto the cup lip to attach the lid to the cup.

An annular wall 20 may extend around the cup above groove 18. This wall is typically frusto-conical in shape or may be substantially cylindrical, or other shape suitable to a desired application for the lid. A top surface 22, typically substantially circular, may be provided above wall 20. Typically skirt 16, groove 18, wall 20, and surface 22 are integrally formed together to form a complete cover (with the exception of a drink hole and air hole to be described below) for the top of the cup. It will be understood that the wall and the top surface define an inner space 24 (FIG. 2 ) within the lid. Wall 20 and the top surface 22, with the lid snapped onto the cup, are configured to retain the liquid in the cup while at the same time allowing drinking of the liquid.

Top surface 22 may include a central depression 26, which is typically substantially cylindrical. An annular rim portion 28 may substantially surround depression 26. As shown in FIG. 1 , depression 26 includes a floor 30, which may be sloping, or alternatively flat relative to the annual rim portion. Rim portion 28 generally will include a hole 32 for the drinking of the liquid, although the drink hole may be located in other positions suited for particular applications of the lid. Floor 30 may slope downwardly from a rear location 34 opposite the drink hole towards a front location 36 of lid 10. An air hole 74 may be formed through floor 30 at a suitable location for allowing air to enter the inner space below the lid during drinking of the liquid from the cup.

As best seen in FIGS. 2, 3, and 6 , wall 20, rim portion 28, and depression 26 define, within inner space 24 of lid 10, an edge channel 38 extending annularly around at least a portion of the lid. As shown in the figures, edge channel 38 typically extends all the way around the lid within inner space 24. Edge channel 38 preferably is in communication with drinking hole 32 to permit flow of the liquid, when a user tilts the cup, through the hole so that the user may drink the liquid from the cup.

An arcuate barrier 40 may be provided under at least a portion of edge channel 38. Arcuate barrier 40 typically defines two ends 42 and 44. Typically, arcuate barrier 40 subtends between the two ends an angle of at least about 45°, and preferably between about 90° and 120°. Other ranges for this angle may be selected as suited to the particular application of the lid. Generally, the degree of spill-prevention functionality increases with the angle, from very little to no spill prevention when the ends 42, 44 are close to the drink hole to an optimal spill-prevention as the angle is increased (i.e., ends 42, 44 are further from the drink hole), to a too-wide angle where drinking is precluded. Typically, the ends are equal distances from drink hole 32, but variants may be used.

Arcuate barrier 40 and edge channel 38 define, at barrier ends 42 and 44, two inlets 46 and 48 to the edge channel. Arcuate barrier 40 and edge channel 38 define, between the inlets, a closed conduit 50 from the inlets to the drinking hole for the liquid to exit the cup.

Arcuate barrier 40 and conduit 50 may be formed and/or coupled by any suitable means. An example of coupling structure is that top surface 22 may include an inner face 52, and a slot 54 may be formed in that face. Typically, in a molded plastic material, slot 54 will entail a corresponding bump on an outer surface of the top surface 22. Arcuate barrier 40 may include a tab 56 configured to be press fit into slot 54 for retention of barrier 40 under edge channel 38. Alternatively, the locations of tab and slot may be switched or and/or other coupling, such as adhesive or welding techniques may be used. Alternatively the barrier may be integrally formed with the rest of the lid as will be further described for FIGS. 10-12 and 15-16 below.

Arcuate barrier 40 typically includes an arcuate outer face 60 (FIG. 4 ) that abuts, and may be bonded to, an inner face 72 (FIG. 8 ) of wall 20 of lid 10. Typically, arcuate outer face 60 is bonded to wall 20 of the lid adjacent annular groove 18. Inner face 52 of top surface 22 is typically part of depression 26 and arcuate barrier 40 may include a portion 62 that abuts, and may be attached to inner face 52 of depression 26.

One example of a method for manufacturing lid 10 is to mold from plastic material at least the top surface, the wall extending down from the top surface, the annular groove below the cylindrical wall. The method may further include formation in the mold of the depression in the top surface with the annular rim portion around the depression. The drink hole is preferably formed, either in the mold or by a cutting or other removal step, through the rim portion. This structure may also define, as molded, the inner space of the lid and the edge channel extending annularly around the lid within the inner space, and in communication with the drinking hole. The arcuate barrier may be separately formed, e.g., by molding, and subsequently installed in the lid under the edge channel.

Alternatively, the arcuate barrier may be formed in a single molding process with the other structure of the lid. As may be seen in FIGS. 10-12 , depression 26 in top surface 22 of lid 10 may extend, in a portion 70 adjacent drinking hole 32, to an inner face 72 of wall 20 of lid 10. Depression 26 at portion 70 forms arcuate barrier 40, including arcuate face 60 and inlets 46, 48, and, in conjunction with edge channel 38, closed conduit 50 from the inlets to the drink hole.

As seen in FIG. 13 , the lid according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may include an internal wall 80 that closes the edge channel from liquid flow except for liquid flow LF along the flow channel as indicated by arrow LF. FIG. 14 illustrates in cross-section the edge channel of the lid according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 15 is a typical cross-section of the lid, and a tab 82 to act as the baffle to protect the flow from the drinking aperture.

FIG. 16 illustrates an embodiment for the lid similar to that of FIGS. 10-12 , with the baffle provided by an inner wall 84 that extends along with an inner disk 86 to create the closed conduit that provides the baffle functionality. In this embodiment, the lid may be made of a one-piece construction.

FIGS. 17 and 18 further illustrate the baffle/barrier within the inner space of the lid in an embodiment similar to that of FIGS. 1-9 .

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in any claims are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

I claim:
 1. A lid for a cup having a lip and containing a liquid, the lid comprising: a. an annular groove for attaching the lid to the lip of the cup; b. An annular wall extending above the annular groove; c. a substantially circular top surface above the annular wall, wherein the wall and top surface define an inner space within the lid, and wherein the wall and the top surface are configured to retain the liquid in the cup and to allow drinking of the liquid, the top surface further including: i. a substantially cylindrical depression; ii. an annular rim portion substantially surrounding the depression, the rim portion including a hole for the drinking of the liquid, wherein the wall, rim portion, and the depression define, within the inner space of the lid, an edge channel extending annularly around at least a portion of the lid, and wherein the edge channel is in communication with the drinking hole; and d. an arcuate barrier under the edge channel, the arcuate barrier defining two ends, the arcuate barrier subtending between the two ends an angle of at least about 90°, the arcuate barrier and the edge channel defining, at the barrier ends, two inlets to the edge channel, and further wherein the arcuate barrier and the edge channel define a closed conduit for the liquid exiting the cup from the inlets to the drinking hole.
 2. The lid of claim 1 further wherein the top surface and the arcuate barrier include a tab and a slot configured to be press fit together for retention of the barrier under the edge channel.
 3. The lid of claim 2 wherein the slot is formed in an inner face of the top surface and the tab is formed on the arcuate barrier.
 4. The lid of claim 2 wherein the tab is formed on an inner face of the top surface and the slot is formed in the arcuate barrier.
 5. The lid of claim 1 wherein the arcuate barrier subtends an angle between the ends of at least about 100°.
 6. The lid of claim 1 wherein the arcuate barrier includes an arcuate outer face bonded to the annular wall of the lid.
 7. The lid of claim 6 wherein the arcuate outer face is bonded to the annular wall of the lid adjacent the annular groove.
 8. The lid of claim 1 wherein the depression defines an inner face and the arcuate barrier includes a portion attached to the inner face of the depression.
 9. The lid of claim 1 wherein the lid is a molded plastic structure.
 10. The lid of claim 9 wherein the arcuate barrier is molded into the lid in a single step process.
 11. A method for manufacturing a drinking lid for a cup having a lip and containing a liquid, the method comprising the steps of: a. forming a substantially circular top surface, an annular wall extending down from the top surface, and an annular groove below the annular wall, the groove configured for attaching the lid to the lip of the cup, the top surface and wall defining an inner space of the lid; b. forming, in the top surface, a substantially cylindrical depression and an annular rim portion substantially surrounding the depression; c. forming a hole through the rim portion, the hole configured for the drinking of the liquid, wherein the wall, rim portion, and the depression define, within the inner space of the lid, an edge channel extending annularly around at least a portion of the lid, and wherein the edge channel is in communication with the drinking hole; and d. forming an arcuate barrier under the edge channel, the arcuate barrier defining two ends, the arcuate barrier and the edge channel defining, at the barrier ends, two inlets to a closed conduit portion of the edge channel.
 12. The method of claim 11 further wherein the step of forming the arcuate barrier forms the barrier to subtend, between the two barrier ends, an angle of at least about 90°.
 13. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of forming the arcuate barrier includes a step of separately forming the barrier followed by a step of installing the barrier in the lid.
 14. The method of claim 11 wherein the steps of forming the top surface, wall, and groove, and of forming the arcuate barrier are a single molding process.
 15. A lid for a cup having a lip and containing a liquid, the lid comprising: a molded plastic material, the material formed to define: a substantially circular top surface including a depression, an annular rim portion substantially surrounding the depression, and a drinking hole; an annular wall extending down from the top surface, wherein the top surface and wall define an inner space of the lid, and wherein the wall, rim portion, and the depression define, within the inner space of the lid, an edge channel extending annularly around at least a portion of the lid, and wherein the edge channel is in communication with the drinking hole; an annular groove below the annular wall, the groove configured for attaching the lid to the lip of the cup; and an arcuate barrier under the edge channel, the arcuate barrier defining two ends, the arcuate barrier and the edge channel defining, at the barrier ends, two inlets to a closed conduit portion of the edge channel.
 16. The lid of claim 15 wherein the depression in the top surface of the lid extends, in a portion adjacent the drinking hole, to the wall of the lid, the depression forming the arcuate barrier.
 17. The lid of claim 15 wherein the arcuate barrier is formed separately from the top surface and is installed in the inner space of the lid.
 18. The lid of claim 17 wherein the top surface and the arcuate barrier each include one of a tab and a slot, the tab and slot configured to be press fit together for retention of the barrier under the edge channel.
 19. The lid of claim 15 wherein the arcuate barrier subtends between the two ends an angle of at least about 90°.
 20. The lid of claim 1 wherein the arcuate barrier subtends an angle between the ends of at least about 100°. 